Epic ATV adventures in northern Ontario
BY SCOTT HADDOW
Wild Northerner staff
In some small towns across northern Ontario, ATVs are a primary mode of transportation and an indispensable work tool. There are people who commute back and forth from home to work on ATVs.
They are an undeniable staple in the region.
There is also no denying ATVs, along with side-by-sides and dirt bikes, serve one ultimate goal for the owner or owners - delivering a fun adventure every time the engine is fired up.
Northern Ontario has no shortage of trails for ATVs and other off-road vehicles. Drive down almost any street or highway and eventually you will see an ATV trail cut and also well-used.
There is no denying people in northern Ontario love their ATVs and other off-road vehicles. Thousands of people enjoy hitting mud holes or driving to scenic vistas. In the region, it is almost endless the places of beauty an ATV can bring a person.
Laurie Benzie is the secretary for the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System in Mattawa. She has lived all across Canada and settled in Mattawa a few years ago. She works for the North Bay Health Centre and also a nursing home in Mattawa. She was an avid snowmobiler, but fell in love with ATVing in 2011 upon living in the region and buying her first off-road vehicle. There is not much else that gets Benzie more fired up than going for a ride on her ATV.
“It’s an adrenaline rush,” she said. “I like technical riding and negotiating rocks and mud holes. I’ve been winched out a few times and that is a big part of the fun. An ATV gives me access to wild places where not many other vehicles can go.”
The VMUTS is located in Mattawa. There are more than 300-kilometres of multi-use trails. It isn’t just an ATV dream-come-true. The trails are also used by people who hike, mountain bike, ride horseback and other off-road vehicles such as Jeeps, side-by-sides and dirt bikes.
This slice of ATV amazement has marked trails for all levels of riders. The system is open seven days a week. A daily pass is $12. A weekly pass is $30, while a three-day permit is $20. All the money goes back into the upkeep of the trails as it is run entirely by volunteers. VMUTS offers spectacular scenic looks-outs as the highlights. There is the Bird’s Eye Look-out and the Red Bridge Bluff Look-out, which both offer unrivalled views of the region. There are several lakes and streams along the system, providing people with opportunities to fish and swim. There is also the Purdy Mica Mine, which provides a rest area and boardwalk and a unique perspective on the history of Mattawa. It is ideal for taking in the fall colours.
“It never gets boring on the trails,” Benzie said. “There is lots of wildlife and nature to see. There is something for everyone. It’s beautiful terrain.”
With many people accessing the trail system in a variety of ways and using different vehicles and even horses, it all comes down to respect for others that keep the trails running smoothly.
“The trails have been multi-use since the beginning and in more than 10 years, there have been no issues between groups,” Benzie said. “There is great trail etiquette. There are people from all over. It’s a friendly atmosphere on the tails. We have people here from across the province and the United States and even Germany.”
Photo credit: Esme Courchesne